Full Review

Ferrand

Ferrand
Selection des Anges XO Cognac

Category: XO Cognac

Date Tasted:
Country: France
Alcohol: 41.8%
94 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$190
2020 Best Cognac

Ferrand
Selection des Anges XO Cognac

Category: XO Cognac

Date Tasted:
Country: France
Alcohol: 41.8%
Brilliant amber color. Inviting, tropical aromas of roasted cashew, baked apple, ripe tropical fruits, milk tea, toffee, and tapioca with a velvety, vibrant, fruity medium body and a smooth, complex, long honey-roasted macadamia, strawberry jam on toast, minerals, flint smoke, black tea, and honeysuckle finish. A memorable Cognac that truly stands out in its class; an exotic, traveling finish full of tropical fruits, nuts and mouthwatering minerality.

Tasting Info

Spirits Glass Style: Rich, Funky, Fruity & Complex
Aroma Aroma: roasted cashew, baked apple, ripe tropical fruits, milk tea, toffee, and tapioca
Taste Flavor: honey-roasted macadamia, strawberry jam on toast, minerals, flint smoke, black tea, and honeysuckle
Smoothness Smoothness: Smooth
Finish Finish: Normal
Enjoy Enjoy: neat, on the rocks and with cigars
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A memorable Cognac that truly stands out from the others; an exotic, traveling finish full of tropical fruits, nuts and mouthwatering minerality.

The Producer

Maison Ferrand

The Producer
38 Longfellow Road
East Falmouth, MA 02536
USA
1 978-771-9234

Their Portfolio

86 Citadelle Jardin D’Été Gin 41.5% (France) $24.00.
95 Citadelle Gin 44% (France) $25.00.
91 Citadelle Jardin D’Été Gin 41.5% (France) $24.00.
94 Ferrand Selection des Anges XO Cognac 41.8% (France) $190.00.
92 Ferrand Sélection Des Anges Cognac 41.8% (France) $210.00.
88 Ferrand 10 Générations VSOP Cognac 46% (France) $58.00.
90 Ferrand 1840 VS Cognac 45% (France) $41.00.

XO Cognac

Spirits Glass Snifter Brandy.jpg
Serve in a Snifter
X.O. (or extra old) Cognacs previously required a minimum of six years aging for the youngest cognac in the blend, with the average age running 20 years or older. All Cognac houses maintain inventories of old vintage Cognacs to use in blending these top of the line brands. The oldest Cognacs are removed from their casks in time and stored in glass demijohns (large jugs) to prevent further loss from evaporation and to limit excessively woody and astringent flavors.

As of 2016, according to the official Cognac regulatory agency, BNIC, the minimum component age requirement for X.O. Cognac must be 10 years from 2016 onwards. In practice many Cognac houses and brands had been at or above the 10 year requirement for their X.O. expressions, but this is now the legal requirement.